Fan Fiction ❯ The quick and the dead ❯ Last rights ( Chapter 7 )

Author's note: Here's the next chapter send plenty of reviews

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Rivendell, 3018 TA, 23 December, dawn

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Kennonomoi squatted on a dirt path just a few yards from the city she had called home for the last two and a half months of her life. Her hair now hung loosely at her throat and her skin glowed golden in the abundance of sunlight. The path she was on was well hidden from the eyes of the elf centurions who watched the arrant younger princess like a hawk.

 

Kennonomoi valued her privacy and ever since Elrond announced her as a princess all put her under the microscope. The youngest Espada couldn't stand it when people kept trying to make her act `as a proper lady should'. It was even worse when a few elven lords tried to gain her favor or would ask Elrond for her hand in marriage.

 

Each time she would rant and rave at the elven lord telling him to get the assholes to back off. And each time he would respond in turn saying that was the burden she had to bare.

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“You are beautiful and a princess of a powerful house despite your human heritage you are very desirable to the nobles”

 

She seethed, “I am not a piece of meat to be devoured I'll be eighteen in October Elrond, a legal adult”

 

Elrond frowned.

 

“What day is your birthday”?

 

“The thirty-first” she responded

 

Elrond's frown deepened, “Then your birthday has passed and I can do nothing”

 

“What do you mean, `I can do nothing' why the hell can't you stop them”?

 

The elf lord rubbed his temples.

 

“You are of courting age many will ask for your hand and I will have to consider your suitor eventually”

 

Kennonomoi snarled, “That is my decision to make if I choose to make it no one else's”

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The youngest Espada sighed. Some of this world's rules were too much for her. Come on now she was a twenty first century independent African American woman. Was it too much to ask to have the choice in which she was going to marry if she wanted to marry at all? Was it so much to ask that she be able to defend herself, wear whatever she wanted, and did as she pleased? Kennonomoi didn't think so especially with everything that was happening around her. A tiny candle flickered with light before her its purpose purely symbolic. She snorted; this place was making her soft.

 

“Why are you away from the city my lady”?

 

Reflexively she reached for her weapon but stopped when she recognized the voice. For some reason the prince of Mirkwood went out of his way to get to know her unlike Boromir or Gimli.

 

“I tire of the nobles courting and to fulfill my last rights,” she stated sharply wanting the elf to leave.

 

Unfortunately the elf was curious and wouldn't leave her alone.

 

“Last rights”?

 

Kennonomoi bit back the scathing words that burned in her throat. He wasn't asking to be a smart ass. Legolas was truly curious he didn't know that he was asking something extremely personal.

 

“A tradition among my people, we confess our sins and pray to Eru (Eru is middle earth's version of God) for forgiveness”

 

“Why do you do that”? He asked

 

Espada's jaw nearly cracked at the force she applied to her grinding teeth. She glared at the burning candle, hoping to drown her rage in the tiny flame. This elf was either dense or just plain retarded. Kennonomoi took a few calming breaths and made it a point to meet the prince's gaze.

 

“It is in preparation for death, there is no such thing as tomorrow so when I die I will have no regrets”

 

Legolas frowned, “you do not expect to survive this war”?

 

Kennonomoi looked at the candle once more.

 

“I don't know,” she said honestly

 

He squatted down next to her his cerulean eyes burning into her own. He was searching for something she knew, what for remained to be seen.

 

“Yet you still go”

 

She smiled bitterly, “My brother's and I took an oath once upon a time all of us were on our summer vacation having the time of our young lives, but we knew it would end soon”

 

“We swore by blood that we would live fast and die fighting”

 

She closed her eyes, “No matter what happens out there prince Legolas I will keep my word”

 

Legolas nodded though she didn't see it Kennonomoi could feel the acceptance radiate off his being. The elf prince stood and brushed imaginary dust off his breeches.

 

“I will wait for you at the wall, Aragorn and Arwen have been looking for you”

 

Kennonomoi didn't even acknowledge him as he left. She merely opened her molten gold gaze to the flame of the candle. She imagined all the things that she had done wrong throughout her short life burning in the tiny flame, melting out of existence. Taking a deep breath Bee spoke.

 

“Forgive me father for I have and will sin again”, “Take pity on me father, and watch over me until you call me home”

 

With that Kennonomoi blew out the candle and went to meet Legolas.

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Rivendell, 3018 TA, 25 December, dusk

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The date the Fellowship left was a great irony to Kennonomoi; they would set off to save Middle Earth on Christmas day. Which in her opinion sucked because she would be missing all the festivities and have to trek through snow in the near future. Even Kirei would lay off on the insults on Christmas and give each of her children three presents. It was a small reprieve but an appreciated one.

The company took little gear meant for war. They wanted secrecy not battle. And a lot lay in their speed, which meant light packs. Elrond furnished all of them with thick warm clothes, and they had jackets and cloaks lined with fur. Spare food and clothes and blankets and other needs were loaded on Bill the pony, whom Sam had came upon on the journey from Bree.

Arwen approached the young woman taking in her current attire in stride. Kennonomoi was dressed in thick black leggings that the she-elf had sewn her. The leggings made it hard for Kennonomoi to strap her metal fans to her hip but she managed. Even as she had her chosen weapons Aragorn's `little sister' wore her shin and wrist guards with a fur lined cloak fit for royalty slug over her shoulders. The young woman also wore a brown shirt with a blue over tunic. The tunic held a sword emblem with white blossoms falling around the hilt and blade. Black boots incased her feet while a matching leather cord bound her hair into a thick braid.

`A beautiful warrior'

Without thought Elrond's daughter pulled her into a bone-crushing hug.

“Come back alive Aaron or I swear I will find a way to resurrect you just so that I can kill you again,” she said

Kennonomoi smiled, understanding her abrupt switch from hostile to caring, “Thank you for everything. You have been a major pain in the ass.”

“Well, you are welcome and let me assure you that you have been an even bigger pain in my ass.” Arwen replied with a small smile, “I would say more but someone comes for you.”

Kennonomoi turned to see Aragorn approach them. Arwen slipped away without another word. Stopping arms length away from Kennonomoi Aragorn surveyed her current attire like his betrothed had done just moments ago. After a while he nodded approvingly.

“Now you are truly Maranwë Anárion, Arwen did well to weave the symbol that will be your house into your shirt”

Kennonomoi raised an eyebrow, “so it was you who had that necklace made”?

The ranger had the grace to blush if only slightly.

“As soon as you left the meeting,” he admitted

Aaron only nodded absently looking at the others gathering to leave.

Elrond then called the company to him. “This is my last word,” he said in a low voice, “The Ring-bearer is setting out on the Quest of Mount Doom. On him alone is any charge laid; neither to cast away the Ring, nor to deliver it to any servant neither of the Enemy nor indeed to let any handle it, save members of the company and the council, and only then in the greatest need. The others go with him as companions, to help him on his way. You may tarry, or come back, or turn aside into other paths, as chance allows. The further you go, the less easy it will be to withdraw yet no oath or bond is laid on you to go further than you will. For you do not yet know the strength of your hearts, and you cannot foresee what each may meet upon the road.”

“Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens,” said Gimli

“Maybe,” Elrond said sagely, looking somberly at the Dwarf, “but let him not vow to walk into the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.”

“Yet sworn word may strengthen quaking heart,” said Gimli with his usual stubbornness.

“Or break it,” warned Elrond, “Look not too far ahead! But go now with good hearts! Farewell, and may the blessings of Elves and Men and all Free Folk go with you. May the stars shine upon your faces!”

“Good…. Good luck!” cried Bilbo, stuttering with the cold, but trying to be supportive of his heir, “I don't suppose you will be able to keep a diary, Frodo my lad, but I shall expect a full account when you get back. And don't be too long! Farewell!”

Many others of Elrond's household stood in the shadows and watched them go, bidding them farewell with soft voices. There was no laughter, and no song or music. And when at last the Fellowship started moving towards the exit of the valley, Arwen emerged from the shadows where she had withdrawn to scrutinize Aragorn, pain evident in her gray eyes, and without any word to anyone, she left for her room.

Kennonomoi watched Arwen knowing exactly what was wrong yet knowing better than to interfere. But seeing the look on Aragon's face Espada reflexively tried to comfort him. She put a hand on one of his broad shoulders and when he met her gazed she softly sang a few lines of one of her favorite lullabies.

“I believe”

“That angels breath”

“And that love”

“Will live on”

“And never leave”

For a moment the heir of Isildur looked shocked. Looking back at his childhood home Aragorn sighed but smiled almost wistfully before squeezing Kennonomoi's hand and looking forward. She smirked and followed after him.